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“Clearly.”

“I’d still like us to go on that date, though.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “Let me get this straight. You want to fire me first and then expect me to go on a romantic date with you?”

“I don’t want you to lose your job, Olive. It’s just… If we want to date, we can’t be boss and employee. It’s too weird, don’t you think?”

“You could’ve said something about that before kissing me. Multiple times.”

He frowned. “I did. I told you it was wrong to cross that line.”

I stamped my foot on the floor. “And yet you did kiss me, didn’t you? You asked me out on a date. You told me you wanted to give this a shot. Don’t put this on me, Lewis. You wanted those kisses as much as I did.”

“I know,” he said, looking lost. “I guess I need some time to figure this out. It’s all so confusing.”

Why did it feel like he was breaking up with me when we weren’t even together to start with? I hated this.

“One professional mistake shouldn’t change our feelings for each other,” I said. “You’re acting as if I killed someone.”

His eyes dipped to the floor. “I wasn’t ready for any of this. I thought I was, but clearly, I was wrong.”

I took a deep breath. “Where does that leave us then?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. Like I said, I need some time to think. I need to know I can trust you.”

Tears sprang to my eyes, and I jerked my hand free from his. “I said I’m sorry, and I meant it. There isn’t anything else I can do except invent a time travel machine to prevent myself from disclosing Addy’s secret, okay? Making one mistake doesn’t mean I can’t be trusted.”

I turned around and ran away, half expecting Lewis to follow me, but he didn’t move. At least now I knew where I stood.

Nowhere, that’s where.

I had done my very best to perform my new job at the clinic in the best way possible. Clearly, I had failed, in Lewis’s eyes anyway.

A mixture of anger, hurt, and confusion filled my chest. When Lewis hired me, I never claimed I was perfect. I mean, who was? I had yet to meet someone who never ever once made a mistake in their lives. The person I probably did owe an apology was Addy, though. I’d drop by the inn later and talk to her, but for now, all I needed was a good old ugly cry and a pillow to punch.

With angry steps, I strode away from the community center. I was almost home when my phone pinged with a message from Mom, asking if I wanted to come over and have dinner with them. Socializing was the last thing I felt like, but she’d made her meatloaf with glazed carrots and mashed potatoes on the side. Who could say no to their mother’s signature dish? It was almost as if she’d sensed I needed comfort food.

I turned on my heel and made my way over to my parents’ place. I was sure they’d have a couple of pillows for me to punch as well. Besides, Rhubarb was living at their place for the moment, and I couldn’t wait to cuddle her. She’d be able to bring a smile to my face for sure. When Lewis had told me the dog didn’t have a microchip and no one claimed her after I had put posters up around town, I was relieved. She was mine now, and I loved her heaps already.

∞∞∞

“I’m done with men. Over and out,” I said, shoving a giant scoop of mashed potatoes in my mouth.

Mom raised an eyebrow and exchanged a look with Dad.

“Don’t worry, I’m not moving back home,” I said. “If I can’t stay at the clinic, I’m sure the shampoo job at the salon is still available.”

Mom sighed. “We’re not afraid you’re going to move back in with us. We love you, and we just want to see you happy. Besides, one small argument is not worth crying over. You will both have forgotten this whole thing in the morning.”

“I doubt that.” I showed her my phone. “See this? Pictures of Addy and Justin all over the internet. The news is out there, and Lewis hates me for it.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Olive,” Mom said, putting an extra portion of carrots on my plate. “Justin’s a movie star. If he can’t handle his private life being broadcast to the world, he should’ve chosen a different job. Right, Gary?”

My father nodded, making agreeing noises, but I doubt he had heard a word we were saying. He was far too busy concentrating on his meatloaf to listen to me whine about guy trouble.

“Lewis is right, Mom. I can’t be trusted. I need to find a different place to work, preferably a place where I have zero responsibility.”

Mom stared me down. “Like shampooing people’s hair?”